Michelin Star chef Simon Martin has issued a lengthy statement and riposte to Animal Rebellion protestors who staged a sit-in protest at his Ancoats restaurant Mana during a busy Saturday night service.
14 individuals were arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass at the restaurant on Blossom Street on Saturday evening. They have since been bailed pending further enquiries, Greater Manchester Police said in a statement.
Video filmed inside the restaurant showed demonstrators holding mock menus aloft with the courses outlining the group's demands, such as 'support for farmers and fishing communities to transition to a plant-based food system'.
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Award-winning chef-patron Simon has now spoken of the disruption the protest caused, and thanked staff who worked tirelessly into the night to resume service for the full restaurant following the drama. Mana has held its Michelin Star, considered the most prestigious foodie honour, since 2019 and is one of the most in-demand restaurants in Manchester with lengthy waiting lists for weekend tables.
Simon said: "The protest last night at Mana disrupted the operation of a small business that has already suffered economically from COVID and the ongoing energy crisis during the busiest night of the week. Guests who were celebrating birthdays and anniversaries had their meals delayed by 3 hours, and our hard-working staff had to work into the late hours of the night.
"While we tried to communicate with the protestors during the course of the evening, politely asking them to leave, they refused to speak with us.
"Whilst everyone is entitled to their opinions and beliefs, we are confused as to why the protestors chose to target a restaurant that prioritizes sustainability and animal welfare, instead of a corporate fast food chain.
"Mana has always been a highly sustainable restaurant, sourcing hyper local and sustainably produced vegetables from small businesses just like ourselves who abstain from GMOs, herbicides, and pesticides.
"Farms for livestock we use are personally visited by members of the team to ensure standards there meet our criteria for supply, and seafood is strictly captured by hand or line. The cost of a meal at Mana is reflective of these production methods, which are lower yield and higher quality.
"It’s ironic that the protesters who are campaigning for better food supply do not realise the cost attached to the quality, leading us to believe they do not fully understand their cause.
Mana is always supportive of good causes with a history of hosting events for The Christie NHS foundation trust and Eat Well MCR, as well as making donations towards StreetSmart and Hospitality Action. A portion of each table's bill is donated towards the homeless."
A spokesman for Animal Rebellion clamed that Mana was targeted because 'it refuses to cater to vegans' and has 'a meat-heavy menu'. Simon has responded to that claim to clarify that Mana offers a full vegetarian menu, but said: "We do not cater for lactose intolerances for logistical reasons."
In the footage filmed from inside the restaurant, police officers are seen filing into the restaurant as members of the public look on. They are seen to try and speak to some of those seated, who appear to remain silent.
Green mock menus can be seen on the table, as some people film on their mobile phones. Towards the end of the video, it shows some officers putting handcuffs on one of the protestors.
Simon added: "We would like to take this opportunity to thank our guests on the evening for their patience and good spirits. We would also like to thank our team, who behaved professionally and successfully appeased our guests throughout their 3 hour wait to get to their table.
"Once sat, the team rallied together quite remarkably to deliver the experience guests had waited many months for. A former member of staff who heard about the incident even came in to help with the service."
Greater Manchester Police said in a statement that at around 7:20pm on Saturday 3 December 2022 they were called to reports of a disturbance outside a premises on Blossom Street, Manchester. They say 14 individuals were arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass.
They have been released on bail pending further enquiries. Superintendent Ian Jones of GMP’s City of Manchester district, said: "Though this wasn’t a large-scale protest, we understand it caused some disruption in and around the area of Blossom Street last night so would like to thank members of the public and businesses for their patience whilst we responded to the incident in the most appropriate way.
"GMP respects the right of people to protest peacefully and so will always, in the first instance, engage with organisers and demonstrators to facilitate this - as per national guidance. It is, however, our responsibility to prevent and investigate crime, and keep people safe.
"In this case, and following engagement attempts, the most appropriate course of action was to make arrests."
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